In the past few weeks our attention has been drawn to domestic violence against women and children because of the highly visible cases of professional football player perpetrators, but every day in our own community, women, men, and children suffer verbal and physical abuse and often endure it in silence. It is a painful topic to discuss, particularly for those who have been victims. We do so this morning with the hope that by shinning the light of truth and by bringing our compassion and the principles of our faith to this problem, we can help those who are in abusive situations. In addition to our worship service this morning, there will be a forum in our community room after each service to learn more about this problem in our community, how to get help, and the what each of us can do to help those who are the victims of violence.
Past Services
Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
Autumn is a time of change. Here in New England , we experience both the beauty of this season and a sense of sadness as the plants die and the leaves fall. This vesper service will include readings, a reflection on the season, music, a time to light candles and share thoughts, and a time of silence. You may bring a poem or short reading about Autumn to share during the service. The service will be led by The Rev. Tom Rosiello, Mike Pfitzer, Director of Music and Sanghee Kim, Pianist. This peace-filled candlelight service is the perfect way to end a busy day. Please join us.
Sunday, October 19th, 2014
In the biblical story of Elijah we hear that he encounters his God, not in big and powerful forces, but in a "still small voice." We will explore this kind of God in our worships service. At the 11 AM service our choir will sing selections from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn. Our minister, the Rev Tom Rosiello, will lead the worship service.
Sunday, October 12th, 2014
This morning’s service takes its title from the words in the second line of the covenant we read together every Sunday morning. It is also the over-arching theme of this year's religious education program. The line captures one of the essential elements of our faith element: that we are and historically always have been a faith of “deeds not creeds", a people that do our best, and “walks our talk.” Our Worship will be led by the Rev. Tom Rosiello with our Adult choir singing at the 11 AM service, and our music at both services will be under the leadership of Mike Pfitzer and Sanghee Kim.
Sunday, October 5th, 2014
The Jewish High Holidays are a time to take stock of our lives, forgive ourselves and others, and begin anew in love. This Sunday we will observe the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur by focusing on how important forgiveness and letting go of our anger and pain are to a healthy life. During our Message for all Ages, in spoken words and songs, we will retell the story of Jonah and his encounter with the Ninevites and discover what it has to teach us. The services will be led by the Rev. Tom Rosiello with Mike Pfitzer, as vocal soloist and song leader, and Sanghee Kim, pianist/organist.
Sunday, September 28th, 2014
So often we believe the cards are stacked against us. The word belongs to the powerful. The big guys win. This morning we will look at the biblical story of David and Goliath and consider what can make it possible for the ‘Davids’ of our world to win. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach the sermon.
Sunday, September 21st, 2014
9 AM "Children’s Dedication Service"
All Ages Welcome~There are no Religious Education Classes Today
Our new Connector building will serve all ages. In a special ceremony starting in our church, our children will move throughout our Connector Building stopping at various rooms to learn about them and dedicate them. At the end, they will participate in creating squares for a new children’s quilt to hang in the Connector. Music for this service will be will consist of songs for all ages, led by our music director Mike Pfitzer, children’s music director, Pat Sorn, and members of our FPC musical community. Nursery care will be provided at both services for children age 4 and under.
11 AM "Let This Gift Live On"
Junior and senior youth are invited to participate in this service. Families with younger children are encouraged to attend the 9am service. No Religious Education classes.
Join former Intern Minister, Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur, and Rev. Tom Rosiello for a lively service celebrating the new building and reflecting on the gifts that live on in our lives, and what it means to accept and leave a legacy. Music will be provided by our music director Mike Pfitzer and pianist/organist Sanghee Kim.
Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur is the 9th settled minister of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica, California. She lives 18 blocks from the Pacific Ocean with her husband Jonathan and their two children. She was ordained by this congregation in 2010. Nursery care will be provided for children age 4 and under.
Sunday, September 14th, 2014
The three great monotheistic traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all are said to have Abraham as a common ancestor. Abraham’s tent was said to be open on all sides so as to welcome the stranger from every direction. The stories of Abraham teach us about tolerance and learning to live with those who believe differently, even to bring them into your tent. This idea is part of our Unitarian Universalist Faith tradition. Yet we know that in our own country and throughout the world, so often Jewish Christians and Muslims claim their faith as the only true faith and all others as unwelcome. Instead of welcoming the stranger we wage war against them. This past summer we have seen the conflict between Muslims and Jews in the Middle East increase. We have witnessed in Syria and even in our own nation, disdain between Christians and Muslims. What would it mean if each faith tradition really embraced the message of their common ancestor, Abraham? There are rays of hope. Together we will pray for peace. Our music will be songs of peace from all three traditions and will include a recent anthem with words written by an Arab and the music by a Jew as a protest against those who are fueling war between them justified on religious grounds.
Sunday, September 7th, 2014
We officially mark the beginning of another church year with this Ingathering Service. Whether it will be your first service with us or you have been attending for years, we will “Welcome You Home.” Worship will be led by the Rev Tom Rosiello with assistance from Mike Pfizer, Sanghee Kim and Michelle Cote. There will be players from our jazz band at both services and the Adult choir will sing "The Road Home" by Stephen Paulus at the 11 AM service. The sermon will explore the idea that the religious journey is a journey home and how this church is or can be your “spiritual home.”
Sunday, August 31st, 2014
We will observe Labor Day weekend with a service that focuses both on the importance of our work and the need to take a break from it. There will be a children's message which will be followed by a game for older children and child care for the youngest. The worship service will be led by The Rev. Tom Rosiello with Sanghee Kim, Pianist/Organist.
Childcare will be provided.
